The emergence of the Metaverse, supported by innovative technologies, especially extended reality, has opened up new possibilities for various fields of education. Some disciplines like STEM have already derived significant benefits from the immersive, interactive, and authentic learning opportunities afforded by the Metaverse. In contrast, only very few changes have been seen in language education, such as pedagogical design, technical support, and psychological endorsement in the Metaverse. To predict the future pathways of language education, the present paper aims to shed valuable light on the use of the Metaverse by discussing topics such as definitions, features, examples, and existing models. Based on this discussion, a new educational framework for language education in the Metaverse is proposed, covering five dimensions - Design, Pedagogy, Technology, Actors, and Learning. It is hoped that the framework will be of value to different educational stakeholders and provide constructive learning environments and opportunities for future language teaching and learning.

Metacognitive strategies, language learning motivation, and self-efficacy belief are crucial to online or remote learning success. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the interrelationship among metacognitive strategies, language learning motivation, self-efficacy belief, and English learning achievement. The data were collected from three surveys and an English test. The participants were 590 Chinese university students. The findings revealed that self-efficacy belief predicts English learning achievement. In particular, metacognitive strategies and language learning motivation mediate the predictive effects of self-efficacy belief on English learning achievement. The findings show the potential of enhancing online English learning achievement by facilitating learners’ self-efficacy belief, motivation, and metacognitive strategies. Implications can be gained for remote learning within and beyond the coronavirus (COVID-19) context.

In this article, we report on an action case study on the use of mobile-assisted peer feedback to improve second language (L2) speakers’ English performance. Drawing on the learning-oriented assessment (LOA) framework (Carless, 2007), the study made in-class use of a newly developed mobile app with the provision of peer feedback. The study was conducted with 25 Business School students in an English for Specific Purposes course at a Hong Kong university. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including a questionnaire survey, a focus group discussion after the class and a teacher journal. In addition to the participants’ general attitudes, two broad themes were found in relation to the participants’ learning experience, namely the use of peer feedback and the affordances and constraints of technology. Results showed that students generally agreed on the positive effects of mobile-assisted peer feedback (e.g. real-time and anonymous feedback), while they recognized some limitations such as the small screen size of their phones and the limited number of given rubrics. Finally, we discuss the implications from different perspectives based on the reported themes.

This report describes two teachers’ challenges and coping strategies while teaching online following the suspension of face-to-face classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings shed light on proactive and passive agency. This study also provides an understanding of teachers’ ‘tea or tears’ in online teaching.